I think we are going about education reform all wrong, but it never gets done the way we personally like. There is a particular part that I think we should look at. There are some things we can all agree on, the first is that a college education is a requirement. Why not extend mandatory schooling, i.e. grades 13-16. Kids can already stay on the parents insurance until they are 24/25? They already live in the basement and mooch off the parent anyway. Let college go back to being the place where you specialize in your field. In these extended grades is where they do paid internships, take all the college basics (math, computers, language, etc.). They live at home or on their own, attend the same school, and learn to become young adults. The money saved on wasted unfocused education would be over.
College has gone from a four year degree to a six year degree, because they say our kids aren't prepared. These extra grades would fix that. Not everyone needs a college education, but we definately need more that a high school education. I believe this would fix the problem or go along way to helping.

I think your paradigm is a bit skewed. The majority of Americans do not complete a 4 year degree yet they do just fine. Certain jobs require training, but not a formal education.

Also, a huge problem we face is that young people are never expected to grow up. I'm applying to medical school and, according to the administrators conducting my interviews, one of their biggest concerns is admitting students who party too much and binge drink. These are 22 year old, intelligent people who in 4-8 years will be trusted with someone else's, yet they still haven't figured out that getting wasted at parties puts their lives at risk. If public or mandatory education was extended, kids would just postpone taking any responsibility for their lives.

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